Baku regards “presidential elections” in occupied lands as Armenia’s political provocation

Holding “presidential elections” in the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia is another political provocation, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman HikmatHajiyev told Trend on July 17.

He noted that the international community rejected and didn't recognize the "parliamentary elections" of May 3, 2015, and the "referendum on making amendments to the constitution" of February 20, 2017, which were carried out by the so-called regime established in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

"Holding illegitimate “presidential elections” by the illegal “parliament” is nothing but self-deception," Hajiyev noted.

He added that it is well known that the criminal "leadership" of the illegal regime and members of the "parliament" are appointed by the military-political authorities of Armenia and they only serve as puppets.

Holding illegal and falsified “presidential elections” is a violation of the Constitution and laws of Azerbaijan, norms and principles of international law, said the spokesperson.

"As a continuation of the military provocations committed by Armenia along the line of contact between the troops in order to escalate the situation, these actions of Armenia are aimed at violating efforts to resolve the conflict on the basis of substantive negotiations," added Hajiyev.

All this proves once again that Armenia is not interested in a political solution to the conflict and is trying with all its might to maintain the status quo based on the occupation, he noted.

The only possible way to achieve a sustainable and long-term settlement is the withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories, as required by the UN Security Council resolutions, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their native lands, the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan within the internationally recognized borders, the joint peaceful residence of the Azerbaijani and Armenian communities of Nagorno-Karabakh within the borders of Azerbaijan, added the official.

Hajiyev noted that the Armenian side, instead of wasting time and deceiving its people and the international community, should participate constructively in the process of resolving the conflict and fulfill its international obligations.

Azerbaijan and Armenia for over two decades have been locked in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims. Since the 1990s war, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including NagornoKarabakh and seven adjacent regions. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal, but they have not been enforced to this day.

Armenia’s illegal "elections" and "referendum" in Nagorno-Karabakh as well as constant provocations in the frontline show that Armenia isn't interested in substantive talks to resolve the long-standing NagornoKarabakh conflict. By conducting these provocations the aggressor country aims to preserve the status quo in Azerbaijan's occupied lands.